Wines You Should Stock Up On At Aldi
There's nothing quite as wonderful as sitting down after a long day to enjoy a glass of wine that you really love, but if you gamble on a new bottle and it turns out to be pretty awful, that glass can end up being annoyingly difficult to get through — making your long day even worse. Fortunately, there are plenty of great and affordable wines available at Aldi that you can stock up on; and all of these bottles are perfect for cracking open to enjoy in front of the television or saving to share with friends, plus they are great backups to have on hand if you buy a bottle that fails you.
The best thing about Aldi's wines (apart from the fact that they won't break the bank) is that there are a lot of different regions that the budget-friendly grocery store sources from. From Californian vineyards and French varietals to Argentinian wines and more, it's an easy and low-priced bet to try these different wines from Aldi and see which you prefer (via Reverse Wine Snob). There are some wines, however, that are worth starting with before branching out to the rest of the Aldi collection.
Exquisite Collection Sauvignon Blanc
Reverse Wine Snob says that one of the best wines is the Exquisite Collection Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. According to the bottle, "Marlborough, situated at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, is located in the rain shadow of the spectacular Kaikoura mountain range to the south and to the east. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean, with its cool and moderate temperatures offers the best conditions for fantastic Sauvignon Blancs." Ultimately, this produces a wine that is fresh and crisp with fruity notes.
The wine's acidity is well-balanced, and it has notes of tropical fruits as well as green apple. It's slightly sweet and has a somewhat fruity finish to it as well. The Exquisite Collection Sauvignon Blanc is imported by Mark & Schule Inc. and exclusively sold at Aldi — but the best part of all might be that each bottle is only $8.99, a price point that makes it easy to stock up on.
Elementalist Pinot Grigio
The next wine even comes with a recommendation to buy in bulk, according to Reverse Wine Snob's review. This Pinot Grigio comes from California and is never casked in oak, but is actually aged in stainless steel to maintain its brightness. It's an aromatic wine with 12 percent alcohol and costs just $6.99 per bottle, so you definitely want to buy several if you spot this at your local Aldi.
You'll notice lots of fruity notes such as pear and melon, though the aromatics resemble key lime, white peach, and orange blossom. You might notice citrus in the aroma, too. Enjoy the lively mouthfeel and dry finish as you sip this bottle, it's certainly worth savoring.
La Rue Cotes de Provence Rosé
For the rosé all day crowd, you'll defiantly want to check out the La Rue Cotes de Provence Rosé. It's a smooth and easy wine, and another Aldi exclusive for just $8.99 per bottle. Though the varietals of grapes are unknown, Reverse Wine Snob believes a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and possibly Cinsault grapes are used to make this beautiful pink bottle.
The wine is 12 percent alcohol and has a light, fruity aroma ranging from hints of watermelon and strawberry to lime and even tomato plant. The wine has a dry, long finish with notes of minerality, but it's certainly a fresh wine well-suited for those who enjoy delicate notes.
2018 Vinsobres
While there are some pretty impressive wines at Aldi, this is one that's an easy choice to enjoy alone or hang onto and pull out when you have guests to seemingly impress. The Vinsobres 2018 comes from the Rhône region of France and is a higher-alcohol wine than others on this list at 14.5 percent. Thanks to the cooler climate in Vinsobres, this wine is a little acidic, but it still has plump, rich berry flavors to savor. There's also a mild pepperiness that makes this wine quite enjoyable (via Decanter).
If you have a favorite grape, it's worth noting this dry red is a blend of three varieties: it's 60 percent Grenache, 15 percent Mourvédre, and 25 percent Syrah. This wine was ranked 88 points out of 100 by Decanter, so if you're a fan of dry, slightly-oaky reds you can't go wrong with it.
Dancing Flame Red Blend
According to Vino Del Vida, this wine from Dancing Flame is the perfect one to wind down with after a long day. It's a pleasing blend of 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Carmenere, and 10 percent Syrah, so it should feel like a pretty familiar wine to avid red wine drinkers. This Aldi exclusive is juicy, and has aromatic notes of blackberry and vanilla.
The wine itself has notes of spice and dark fruit — naturally — but this smooth wine also alludes to green pepper. This red is an easy, total crowd-pleaser, so make sure to stock up on this bottle when you head out to Aldi next.